CATCH THE BUZZ – Hot And Dry Across The Northern Plains And Northwestern Midwest In Recent Weeks Diminishing Yields Of Corn, Soybeans And Probably Honey.

“Rains are currently pushing across the west central Midwest; however, a drier and much warmer pattern for southwestern areas the week of the 17th will allow stress to quickly build again,” said Don Keeney…

GAITHERSBURG, MD – (July 13, 2017) Persistent dryness and heat across the northern Plains and northwestern Midwest in recent weeks have resulted in significant stress on spring wheat, and have also begun to stress corn and soybeans. As a result, MDA has been steadily reducing yield potential for all three crops since mid-June. Additional reductions will also be possible over the next few weeks, particularly for corn. “Rains are currently pushing across the west central Midwest; however, a drier and much warmer pattern for southwestern areas next week will allow stress to quickly build again,” said Don Keeney, Senior Agricultural Meteorologist for MDA Weather Services. “Temperatures should push well into the upper 90s F across southern Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois which will be quite stressful for pollinating corn,” said Keeney.